I loved watching Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver on TV

Talking food with Mohammad Ahmad Mustafa Al Torman, Head Chef, Verve Bar and Brasserie in Dubai

Your best food-related experience.
Eating my mother's traditional lamb mansaf in Jordan, which is my home. I love the traditional dried yoghurt flavour, and the local lamb is hard to beat.

Who do you admire most in the culinary world, and why?
When I was younger, I used to love watching Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver on TV; I've also read a lot of their books. I particularly like Gordon for his technical experience and the consistency in his food. My local favourite chef would be Sudqui Naddaf from Jordan.

What's your favourite culinary destination, and why?
I have always dreamed of visiting London because there are so many different Michelin-starred restaurants I would love to try. What appeals to me most are the different styles of European cuisine - I'd love to visit The Fat Duck in Bray.

How often do you eat out? What's your favourite place around town?
Not very often as most of my time is spent in the kitchen. But when I do treat myself, I enjoy going to Mahashi restaurant in Al Barsha. It serves amazing dishes from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine.

If you could cook for a high-profile personality, who would it be and what would you serve him or her?
Moeen Abuzaid (Michelin-starred chef in New York). I would cook him a tasting menu that would include some of the best dishes I learned to make while working at Folly by Nick and Scott over the last three years.
One ingredient/dish you can't stand.
Anything sweet with pistachios in.

After cooking all day, do you cook for yourself at home too?
No, I usually just go to bed on my day off. I love to cook for my wife Noor, though. I usually create something special like a lamb kabsa, which is similar to a lamb biriyani.

Favourite comfort food?
KFC - always.

If you could choose a last meal, what would it be?
Molokai.

Where can we find you, outside the kitchen?
In my bed, fast asleep.
- Staff reporter